A greenhouse- gas is any gaseous compound in the atmosphere that is capable of

absorbing infrared radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat in the atmosphere.
By increasing the heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases are responsible for the
greenhouse effect, which ultimately leads to global warming.

Global warming is the gradual heating of Earth's surface, oceans and atmosphere.
Scientists have documented the rise in average temperatures worldwide since the
late 1800s. Earth's average temperature has risen by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8
degrees Celsius) over the past century, according to the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). Temperatures are projected to rise another 2 to 11.5 degrees F (1.133
to 6.42 degrees C) over the next 100 years.

Effect of global warming-Climage change impacts rising sea levels. Average sea
level around the world rose about 8 inches (20 cm) in the past 100 years; climate
scientists expect it to rise more and more rapidly in the next 100 years as part of
climate change impacts.

Coastal cities such as New York are already seeing an increased number of flooding
events and by 2050 many such cities may require seawalls to survive. Estimates
vary, but conservatively sea levels are expected to rise 1 to 4 feet (30 to 100 cm),
enough to flood many small Pacific island states (Vanatu), famous beach resorts
(Hilton Head) and coastal cities (Bangkok, Boston).

If the Greenland ice cap and/or the Antarctic ice shelf collapses, sea levels could rise
by as much as 20 ft (6 m), inundating, for example, large parts of Florida, the Gulf
Coast, New Orleans and Houston.